Clemson rises to No. 6 in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers picked up a massive recruiting win on Saturday when Lancaster (Texas) four-star cornerback Corian Gipson announced his pledge to the Tigers over Texas and Ohio State.

Adding that key extra piece to the future secondary boosted the Tigers to the No. 6 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The class, which also ranks No. 1 in the ACC, rose four spots from No. 10.

The 6-foot-0, 160-pound defensive back is the No. 83 overall prospect and No. 8 cornerback in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 14 player in Texas.

“The first time I took a visit to Clemson, I told my mom, ‘This is the place to be,'” Gipson told On3. “In my mind, I’ve always known where I wanted to be. Life after football was big in my recruitment and as I took all of my visits.”

Clemson extended an offer to Gipson when former TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley arrived in Death Valley. Long-time Clemson defensive back coach Mike Reed then became the one in charge leading Gipson’s recruitment.

Ultimately what sold Gipson on Clemson was the consistency and longevity of the program that Dabo Swinney has built.

“They’re big on life after football,” said Gipson. “They’re one of the top programs with that and they’re really big on that.”

Clemson inching towards a top-5 class

The Tigers have been on a role since the start of spring and Gipson’s pledge was just the latest win for Swinney and his staff. Gipson’s commitment makes him the fifth top-100 player to commit to the Tigers.

Their other four top-100 pledges are Midlothian (Texas) five-star receiver Bryant Wesco, Jefferson (Ga.) Sammy Brown, Woodstock (Ill.) Marian Central Catholic four-star tight end Christian Bentancur and Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic four-star receiver TJ Moore.

Clemson landing Gipson is also a significant win as the Tigers look to build the future of their secondary. He is the fourth defensive back to commit to the Tigers joining Warner Robbins (Ga.) Northside four-star safety Ricardo Jones, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day four-star cornerback Tavoy Feagin and Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County four-star safety Noah Dixon.

Currently the Tigers are on track to surpass where they finished during the 2023 cycle. That group signed 26 recruits and was ranked as the No. 11 class in the country and No. 2 in the ACC.